Remote-controlled switch cover assembly

ABSTRACT

A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the standard rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the standard rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the standard rocker switch.

BACKGROUND I. Field of Use

The present application relates generally to the home automation andcontrol arts. More specifically, embodiments of the present inventionrelate to remote-controlled operation of electrical devices usingexisting electrical switches.

II. Description of the Related Art

Home automation and control has been gaining popularity in recent years,allowing homeowners to remotely monitor and control various devices intheir home. For example, the Nest thermostat has revolutionized the homethermostat market by intelligently learning the usage habits of homeoccupants, while also allowing remote control of the thermostat via theInternet. Wi-Fi enabled light bulbs are becoming increasingly common,allowing remote control of lights. A variety of other remote controldevices are available, including devices that open/close garage doors,turn on/off pool/spa equipment, turn on/off sprinkler systems, etc.

The popularity of being able to control lighting is of particularinterest to many consumers. However, it is generally necessary topurchase expensive equipment to enable such a feature, such as expensiveWi-Fi capable light bulbs, or Wi-Fi enabled switches. Such Wi-Fi enabledswitches typically require replacement of an entire, existing electricalswitch, which many homeowners are incapable, unwilling or afraid toperform.

Recently, at least one design has become available for converting arocker-type switch into a remote-controlled switch, simply by replacingits light cover plate with one that comprises a receiver for receivingon/off commands, and an actuator to cause the existing rocker switch toactivate. Such a design is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/825,117, assigned to the assignee of the present application. In thisdesign, a wiper is used to contact the surface of the existing rockerswitch and rotated over the surface, causing the switch to turn on andoff. However, over time, damage may occur to the existing rocker switchas a result of the contact with the wiper, eventually leading to failureof the switch.

It would be desirable, therefore, to design a switch cover device thatdoes not cause damage to an existing rocker switch.

SUMMARY

The present application is directed toward a remote-controlled switchcover assembly for converting an existing, wall mounted rocker switchinto a remote-controlled switch. In one embodiment, theremote-controlled switch cover assembly comprises a tilt plate pivotallymounted over the standard rocker switch, comprising a first elongatedstructure coupled to a second elongated structure joined at an angle toone another, the first elongated structure having a first undersideproximate to a first existing rocker switch portion, and the secondelongated structure having a second underside proximate to a secondexisting rocker switch portion, a wiper coupled to a gear train, thegear train coupled to a motor, and the motor for driving the gear trainin a first direction to move the wiper in a first wiper directionagainst the first underside of the tilt plate, wherein the standardrocker switch is turned on when the wiper contacts the first underside,causing an end of the second elongated structure to depress the secondrocker switch portion of the standard rocker switch.

In another embodiment, a method is described for operation of aremote-controlled switch cover assembly, comprising receiving a wirelesssignal to actuate the standard rocker switch, in response to receivingthe wireless signal, activating a motor that causes a gear train to turnin a first direction, which in turn causes a wiper to engage anunderside of a tilt plate located over the standard rocker switch, andin response to the wiper engaging the underside tilt plate, depressing,by an opposing end of the tit plate, the standard rocker switch.

In another embodiment, a remote-controlled switch cover assembly isdescribed for converting an existing, wall mounted rocker switch into aremote-controlled switch, comprising a manual rocker for allowing manualoperation of the existing rocker switch, a tilt plate located betweenthe manual rocker and the existing rocker switch, and a wiper forengaging a first underside portion of the tilt plate that causesrotation of the tilt plate, causing an opposing end of the tilt plate todepress the existing rocker switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, advantages, and objects of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description as set forth below,when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencedcharacters identify correspondingly throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a remote-controlledswitch cover assembly for use with an existing rocker switch;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the remote-controlledswitch cover assembly of FIG. 1, including the standard rocker switch;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective the remote-controlled switch coverassembly of FIG. 1, with the cover removed;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the remote-controlled switchcover assembly of FIG. 1, with a manual rocker switch shown in FIGS. 2and 3 removed;

FIGS. 5a-5f are side views of various embodiments of a tilt plate asshown in FIGS. 2-4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an existing rocker switch, a wiper, a tiltplate and a manual rocker, as shown in FIG. 1, illustrating adjustmentposts;

FIG. 7 is a side view of existing an existing rocker switch, wiper, andtilt plate shown in FIG. 2 to illustrate how the wiper toggles theexisting rocker switch;

FIGS. 8a-8c are perspective views of the remote-controlled switch coverassembly shown in FIG. 1 with the cover removed, shown with the;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the switch state detection mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a perspective, close-up view of a portion of theremote-controlled switch cover assembly of FIG. 1, with the coverremoved, illustrating a switch state detection mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly101 shown in FIG. 1 with the cover and housing 100 removed, alsoillustrating the switch state detection mechanism as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly101 as shown in FIG. 1, with the cover and housing removed, illustratingthe existing rocker switch as shown in FIG. 1 in the off position;

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of theremote-controlled switch cover assembly as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for remotecontrol of an existing rocker switch performed by a remote-controlledswitch cover assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention allow a conventional, wall-mounted,rocker-type electrical switch to be converted into a remote-controlledswitch simply and economically. In one embodiment, an already-installed,conventional rocker switch is converted into a remote-controlled switchby simply replacing its switch cover with a switch cover assembly inaccordance with the teachings herein.

A remote-controlled switch cover assembly may be used to convert astandard, existing rocker switch to one that can be controlled remotely,for example wirelessly using a keyfob or by using a smartphone, tablet,or other personal electronic device via a local gateway device, or viathe Internet and a local gateway device, in instances where thecontroller is located remotely from the rocker switch. In someembodiments, a remote-controlled switch may be controlled via a localsecurity panel or home automation gateway, either alone or inconjunction with the aforementioned wireless devices. In one embodiment,the remote-controlled switch cover assembly is used in conjunction withan existing rocker switch used to supply household AC voltages toelectrical devices such as lights, outlets, etc., commonly found inmillions of homes and businesses worldwide.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a remote-controlledswitch cover assembly 101, for use with an already-installed, standardrocker switch found in millions of homes and businesses. Theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 in one embodiment isapproximately 28 millimeters thick, 78 millimeters wide, and 120millimeters long, as shown. It is designed to be placed over an existingrocker switch after its switch cover has been removed. This allows aneasy retrofit to convert an existing rocker switch into aremote-controlled rocker switch, while still allowing the existingrocker switch to be operated manually.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the remote-controlledswitch cover assembly 101 of FIG. 1. It comprises housing 100 that issized and shaped to be installed over existing rocker switch 102, aswell as to contain various components of the remote-controlled switchcover assembly 101, such as motor 104, manual rocker 106, gear train108, tilt plate 110, wiper 112, adjustment posts 600 as well as othercomponents, such as one or more batteries, a receiver or transceiver,and/or other circuitry, that have been omitted for purposes of clarity.In one embodiment, two holes 116 are formed through a bottom surface ofhousing 100 that align with cover mounting threads of existing rockerswitch 102 so that the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 canbe secured over existing rocker switch 102 using suitably-sized screws.Installation of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 is aseasy as removing an existing rocker switch cover, and replacing it withthe remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view the remote-controlled switch cover assembly101 of FIG. 1, with the cover removed, and the components shown in FIG.2 assembled into housing 100. Also shown is switch state detectionmechanism 304, which will be explained in greater detail later below.Manual rocker 106 may be operated by a user to manually manipulateexisting rocker switch 102 (hidden from view in FIG. 3). In oneembodiment, manual rocker 106 comprises extensions 300 that extenddownwards from manual rocker 106 and contact existing rocker switch tomove existing rocker switch 102 in conformity with manual rocker 106. Inanother embodiment, extensions 300 are not present, and existing rockerswitch 102 is moved in conformity with manual rocker 106 via tabs 302,one each located on opposing ends of manual rocker 106 that eithercontact existing rocker switch 102 directly, or indirectly via tiltplate 110. Manual rocker 106 is typically pivotally mounted to supportstructures 306, which allow manual rocker 106 to pivot about an axisrunning through support structures 306, i.e., pivoting to mimicoperation of existing rocker switch 102. In other embodiments, manualrocker 106 may be pivotally mounted to cover 114.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the remote-controlled switchcover assembly 101 of FIG. 1, with manual rocker 106 shown in FIGS. 2and 3 removed. This view best illustrates tilt plate 110 which, in thisembodiment, comprises a unitary, elongated rigid or semi-rigid structurewith two strip portions 110 a and 110 b that are slightly angled towardsone another and located in proximity to existing rocker switch portions102 a and 102 b, respectfully. It should be understood that althoughtilt plate 110 is shown in FIG. 4 as having a number of distinctivefeatures, such as four tabs extending laterally, three sections (middleand two ends), a “wavy” section joining each of the two ends to a middlesection, and two holes, these features are generally optional, dependingon the particular implementation and influenced by factors such asmanufacturability and cost. For example, in other embodiments, as shownin the side views of FIGS. 5a-5f , tilt plate 110 may comprise a simple,bent structure (FIG. 5a ) a curved structure (FIG. 5b ), a bentstructure having a flat middle portion (FIG. 5c ), or some other shape.In some embodiments, manual rocker 106 and tilt plate 110 may becombined, as shown in FIG. 5d , where manual rocker 106 comprises ends500 that contact existing rocker switch 102. Other shapes may also becontemplated.

FIG. 5e shows another embodiment of tilt plate 110, where tilt plate 110is bent upwards in a direction opposite to the other embodiments shownin FIGS. 5a-5d . In this embodiment, tilt plate 110 is formed so as tolie over existing rocker switch 102, with bottom surface 502 in closeproximity to an upper surface of existing rocker switch 102. In arelated embodiment shown in FIG. 5f , tilt plate 110 could beincorporated into manual rocker 106. In this embodiment, surface 504 isexposed to users and pressed to toggle manual rocker 106, thereby alsotoggling existing rocker switch 102 via contact with existing rockerswitch 102 via surface 506. A space 508 is formed laterally throughmanual rocker 106 for insertion of wiper 112. Wiper 112 is then able totoggle existing rocker switch 106 as it comes into contact with surfaces510 and 512 or surfaces 514 and 516. In other embodiments, space 508 maycomprise only a single pair of surfaces (i.e., either surfaces 510 and512 or 514 and 516. Moreover, space 508 may take other forms other thanshown in FIG. 5f , such as curved surfaces.

Referring back to FIG. 4, tilt plate 110 attaches to manual rocker 106via screws (not shown) through holes 400. In other embodiments, tiltplate 110 may be secured to manual rocker 106 via clips, rivets, or someother mechanical means.

FIG. 6 is a side view of existing rocker switch 102, wiper 112, tiltplate 110 and manual rocker 106, further illustrating adjustment posts600. The adjustment posts are used to adjust the position of each end oftilt plate 110 with respect to manual rocker 106 and, in turn, existingrocker switch 102. Adjustments may be needed to accommodate forvariations in physical attributes among different brands of existingrocker switches. In one embodiment, adjustment posts 600 comprise asmall, threaded, cylindrical post that screws into threads formed onholes 120 of tabs 118, respectively. As an adjustment post is screwedin, an opposing end contacts an upper surface of tilt plate 110, pushingone end of tilt plate 110 further away from manual rocker 106.Generally, adjustment of one end of tilt plate 110 does not affect thespatial relationship between manual rocker 106 and the other end of tiltplate 110.

FIG. 7 is a side view of existing rocker switch 102, wiper 112, and tiltplate 110 to illustrate how wiper 112 toggles existing rocker switch102. When a remote control signal is received by receiver circuitry toremotely operate existing rocker switch 102, wiper 112 is rotated bymotor 104 and gear train 108 from a default, center position over valley122 of existing rocker switch 102, to a position as shown in FIG. 7.Rotation of wiper 112 occurs in relation to an axis 918 of driver gear920, best shown in FIG. 9. As wiper tip 700 makes contact with tiltplate 110, tilt plate 110 is rotated about axis 712 so that end 704moves upwards and away from switch end 708, while end 706 movesdownwards and towards switch end 710, contacting switch end 710 andmoving switch end 710 to the position shown in FIG. 7, causing existingrocker switch 102 to “toggle” from “on” to “off” or from “off” to “on”.The axis may be formed by either tilt plate 110 and/or manual rocker 106by way of the pivot mount to support structures 306, forming a fulcrum.This operation works similarly to move wiper 112 in an oppositedirection, toward end 706, causing existing rocker switch 102 to move toan opposite position as that shown in FIG. 7.

After wiper 112 has caused existing rocker switch 102 to toggle, wiper112 is moved back to the default position over valley 122 of existingrocker switch 102. This allows manual manipulation of existing rockerswitch 102 by a user, as existing rocker switch 102 and manual rocker106 are free to operate without interference from wiper 112. FIGS. 8a-8cillustrate this concept. Each of these figures show theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 from a top, perspective viewwithout cover 114, manual rocker 106 or tilt plate 110 so that theposition of wiper 112 may be seen. In FIG. 8a , wiper 112 is shownrotated to a first maximum position, in response to receiving a wirelesscommand from receiver circuitry (as will be explained later herein),turning existing rocker switch 106 either “on” or “off” via tilt plate110. For purposes of discussion, the position shown in FIG. 8a isassumed to have turned existing rocker switch 102 “off”. It should benoted that in this position, existing rocker switch portion 102 b is ina raised position, while portion 102 a is pressed downwards from theforce applied by tilt plate 110 in reaction to wiper 112 contacting thetilt plate.

After wiper 112 has reached the first maximum position (as determined byswitch state detection mechanism 304, as explained later herein), wiper112 is rotated in an opposite direction, to the default position overvalley 122 as shown in FIG. 8 b.

FIG. 8c illustrates wiper 112 rotated to a second maximum position,toggling existing rocker switch “on” as tilt plate 110 pushes portion102 b downwards to a lowered position, causing portion 102 a to moveupwards. Wiper 112 moves from the default position to the second maximumposition as a result of receiving a remote control signal via thereceiver circuitry. After achieving the second maximum position, wiper112 is returned to the default position over valley 122.

It should be noted that at no time does wiper 112 come in contact withexisting rocker switch 102, including portions 102 a or 102 b. Existingrocker switch 102 is operated as wiper 112 contacts tilt plate 110,which in turn causes operation of existing rocker switch 102.

Remote operation of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101occurs when a user wishes to remotely toggle existing rocker switch 102to turn lights on or off for example, using a device which sendswireless signals to receiver circuitry 900 located within theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101, as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9is a perspective view of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101with housing 100 and cover 114 removed. Receiver circuitry 900 receiveswireless or wired signals from the device, either directly or indirectly(i.e., via a home automation gateway, security panel, etc.) and providesthem to processing circuitry 906, which in turn provides signals tomotor driving circuitry 902 that powers motor 104 to turn wiper 112 inorder to manipulate existing rocker switch 102 to the “on” or “off”state. For example, when a command is received from a remote deviceinstructing the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 to turnlights on, receiver circuitry 900 receives the wireless signal from thedevice or intermediary device and provides a down-converted basebandsignal to processing circuitry 906 such as one or more transistors,capacitors, resistors, processors, etc. Processing circuitry 906 thenprovides a signal to motor 104, typically a low-power DC motor, whichcauses it to rotate in one direction, which in turn causes gear train108 to turn in one direction, which in turn causes wiper 112 to move inone direction from the default position.

In one embodiment, when wiper 112 reaches the first maximum position (asshown in FIG. 8a and in FIG. 9), a deformation 908 located on aperimeter 910 of wiper 112 comes in contact with switch 904, as shown inFIG. 9. In this embodiment, perimeter 910 comprises three suchdeformations, comprising three “humps” or a “bumps” or other protrusionson perimeter 910, although in other embodiments they could compriserecesses, holes or other negative impressions in perimeter 910. Inresponse to deformation 908 coming into contact with switch 904,processing circuitry 906, which is coupled to switch 904, provides asignal to motor driving circuitry 902 to reverse the direction of themotor, causing wiper 112 to reverse direction back towards the defaultposition over valley 122. Other techniques may be used to determine whenwiper 112 has reached the first and second maximum positions, such asprocessing circuitry 906 measuring the current drawn by motor 104 (i.e.,a sudden spike in current draw means that wiper 112 has reached a hard,physical stop at the first or second maximum positions) or by havingprocessing circuitry 906 measure the current through existing rockerswitch 102.

The deformations and switch 904 may alternatively or additionally beused to detect when wiper 112 has reached the second maximum positionvia deformation 914 or when wiper 112 has been moved back over valley122, after reaching either the first or second maximum positions, viadeformation 912. Alternatively, other sensing techniques may be used todetermine when wiper 112 is in the default position, such as byprocessing circuitry 906 determining a number of revolutions of motor104 and/or any of the gears comprising gear train 108 as the wiper ismoved to either the “on” position or “off” position, then rotating motor104/gear train 108 an equal amount in the opposite direction. In thepresent embodiment, when wiper 112 reaches the default position,deformation 912 contacts switch 904, causing processing circuitry tohalt motor 104.

FIG. 10 is a perspective, close-up view of a portion of theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 with cover 114 removed,illustrating switch state detection mechanism 304. FIG. 11 is a sideview of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 with cover 114and housing 100 removed, also illustrating switch state detectionmechanism 304. In this embodiment, switch state detection mechanism 304is used to convey an actual switch position of existing rocker switch102 to processing circuitry 906 (not shown), so that an actual positionof existing rocker switch 102 may be known. In this embodiment, switchstate detection mechanism 304 comprises lever 1010 pivotally mounted ona pair of posts 1006. One end 1004 of lever 1010 is positioned overexisting rocker switch portion 102 b so that when existing rocker switch102 is placed into a first position, such as “on” (as shown in FIG. 10),portion 102 b is pushed downward and end 1004 of lever 1010 is forceddownward against portion 102 b by spring 1008. Existing rocker switch102 may be switched to the on position either manually, by a useroperating manual rocker 106, or remotely via receiver circuitry 900,processing circuitry 906, motor driving circuitry 902 motor 104, geartrain 108 and wiper 112 acting against tilt plate 110. In this position,pushbutton switch 1000 is not depressed, causing an open circuit (or,alternatively, a closed circuit in a normally closed switch) that isdetected by processing circuitry 906, indicating that existing rockerswitch 102 is in the “on” position. Processing circuitry 906 may, inturn, cause a signal to be transmitted to a remote device, indicatingthat existing switch 102 is on.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly101 with cover 114 and housing 100 removed, illustrating existing rockerswitch 102 in the off position. Again, existing rocker switch 102 mayhave been placed into the off position either manually or remotely. Inthis position, existing rocker switch 102 is placed into a second, “off”position, i.e., portion 102 b is forced upward, and end 1002 of lever1010 is forced downward against switch 1000, depressing pushbuttonswitch 1000. This causes a closed circuit in pushbutton switch 1000 (or,alternatively, an open circuit in a normally closed switch) that isdetected by processing circuitry 906, indicating that existing rockerswitch 102 is in the “off” position. Processing circuitry 906 may, inturn, cause a signal to be transmitted to a remote device, indicatingthat existing switch 102 is off.

In one embodiment, both switch 904 and switch 1000 are used to determinewhen wiper 112 has reached either the first or the second maximumposition, or the default, valley position. Use of both switches may helpprocessing circuitry 906 may know the position of wiper 112 whenremote-controlled switch cover assembly is first turned on, or after asudden loss of power, for example. In this embodiment, processingcircuitry 906 determines that wiper 112 is at one of the maximumpositions when processing circuitry 906 detects activation of bothswitch 904 and switch state detection mechanism 304. For example,processing circuitry may determine that wiper 112 is at the firstmaximum position when switch 904 is depressed by one of protrusions onperimeter 910 and switch 1000 is also depressed. At that time,processing circuitry 906 causes motor 104 to reverse direction, causingswitch 904 to become depressed, until switch 904 is depressed once moreby protrusion 912 (switch 1000 remains depressed).

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 shown in FIG. 1, comprisingprocessing circuitry 906, memory 1300, transceiver 1302, motor 104, geartrain 108, wiper 112, switch state detection mechanism 304, optionalmotion sensor 1304, switch 904 and motor driving circuitry 902. Itshould be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the functionalblocks shown in FIG. 13 are necessary for the proper operation of theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 and that some functionalityhas been omitted for purposes of clarity.

Processing circuitry 906 comprises one or more general-purposemicroprocessors, microcontrollers and/or custom or semi-custom ASICs,and/or discrete components able to carry out the functionality requiredfor operation of the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101.Processing circuitry 906 is selected based on processing capabilities,power-consumption properties, cost and space considerations, as theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 typically operates onbatteries and a small form factor is desirable. In the case of amicroprocessor, microcontroller, or ASIC, processing circuitry 906generally executes processor-executable instructions stored in one ormore memories 1300 that control the functionality of theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101. Examples of the memoryinclude one or more electronic memories such as RAM, ROM, hard drives,flash memory, EEPROMs, UVPROMs, etc. or virtually any other type ofelectronic, optical, or mechanical memory device, but excludespropagated signals. Memory 1300 could alternatively comprise anintegrated circuit, such as a flip-flop, or even discrete components,such as one or more transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc.

Transceiver 1302 comprises circuitry necessary to transmit and receivecommunication signals, including messages, commands, status information,requests, etc., between the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101and a remote device, either directly or through a local device such as agateway, security panel, or home automation panel. Such circuitry iswell known in the art and may comprise BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, RF, optical, orultrasonic circuitry, among others. In other embodiments, transceiver1302 comprises discreet circuitry for transmitting information andseparate circuitry for receiving information. The type of informationthat may be transmitted may comprise the state of existing rocker switch102 (e.g., “on” or “off”, toggled), battery status (e.g., warning signalsent when battery is low), supervisory signal to indicate the presenceand operational confirmation of the remote-controlled switch coverassembly 101, a signal indicative of whether a command to remotelyoperate existing rocker switch 102 was successful or not, and/or asignal indicative of detected movement, e.g., by a motion sensoroptionally integrated into the remote-controlled switch cover assembly101. Processing circuitry 906 may, in some embodiments, provide one ormore types of information periodically, such as once per hour, or uponreceipt of a command from a remote device to provide one or more typesof information, or upon detection of a change in state of existingrocker switch 102.

Optional motion sensor 1304 comprises any device that is able to detectmovement of a person within range of the remote-controlled switch coverassembly 101. In one embodiment, a passive infrared sensor detector isused, although other types of motion sensors may be used in thealternative, keeping the low power requirement of the remote-controlledswitch cover assembly 101 in mind. In other embodiments, motion sensormay comprise a light-beam interruption detector, a sonic transducer, ora reed switch.

When used in conjunction with optional motion sensor 1304, theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 may automatically turnslights on or off when people enter or leave a room. When the motionsensor detects movement, indicative of activity in a room, the motionsensor may provide a signal to processing circuitry 906, indicative ofsuch. In response, processing circuitry 906 may cause electronic motorto rotate in order to place existing rocker switch 102 into an “on”position. Similarly, if the motion sensor does not detect movement inthe room for more than a predetermined time period, such as 10 minutes,processing circuitry 906 may cause the electric motor to rotate to turnthe existing rocker switch to an “off” position. When existing rockerswitch 102 is turned on or off, a signal may be transmitted to a remotelocation, alerting a user of the change in state of existing rockerswitch 102.

In a related embodiment, the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101may turn existing rocker switch 102 on or off as a result of receiving asignal from a remote device, indicative of when activity is detected ina room. For example, a stand-alone motion sensor could sense motion in aroom, and then report that finding to a home security panel. The homesecurity panel might then transmit a command to the remote-controlledswitch cover assembly 101 to turn the existing rocker switch to the “on”position. In one embodiment, the stand-alone motion sensor is located inone room (such as a foyer) and the remote-controlled switch coverassembly 101 located in another room, such as a living room, so thatwhen the motion sensor detects movement, the home security panel cansend a signal to the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 in theliving room, so that the living room is lit, for example, when a personenters his/her home.

In another embodiment, a remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101could be used in conjunction with a typical, manually operated switch,such as in an application where hallway lighting is controlled by twoswitches, one located at each end of the hallway. This may be referredto by those skilled in the art as a “three-way circuit”. In thisembodiment, the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 couldtransmit a status signal to a remote device such as a home securitypanel, home automation system, or internet gateway, with a light statusof whether the hall light is “on” or “off”. Such a determination may bemade using a current-sensing device, such as a coil, integrated circuit,and/or other circuitry to sense current flowing through existing rockerswitch 102, in combination with switch state detection mechanism 304. Inone embodiment, an on/off status signal is transmitted to a remotedevice upon detection of a change of state, i.e., a change of the lightillumination from “on” to “off” or vice-versa. The state change may bedetected by storing the last known mechanical position of the standardrocker switch 102 as presented by switch state detection mechanism 304.A storage device, such as memory 1300, flip-flop, or discrete circuitrycan be used to store the state of the external rocker switch 102, e.g.,either “on” or “off”. The same storage device, or a different one, maystore an indication of whether current is flowing through existingrocker switch 102 using the current sensor. Thus, at any time, theremote-controlled switch cover assembly 101 knows which position theexternal rocker switch 102 is in and whether the current is flowing ornot. Then, if a command is received via transceiver 1302 to either turnthe light on or off from a remote device, processing circuitry 906 candetermine whether the wiper 112 must be activated and, if so, whatdirection to wipe, depending on whether the command is to turn the lighton or off. For example, in a three-way application that uses a regularswitch and a remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101, if theremote-controlled switch cover assemblies is in an “on” position, i.e.,in this example, portion 102 b of existing rocker switch 102 is pushedtowards housing 100, and the current sensor determines that current isflowing through existing rocker switch 102, an indication is stored inmemory 1300, indicating that the existing rocker switch 102 is in the“on” position and that current is flowing through existing rocker switch102. Thereafter, if external rocker switch is manually manipulated viamanual rocker 106, turning the light off, the current sensor detects theloss of current, and processing circuitry 906 stores the current statusof existing rocker switch as being “off” in the memory. Then, if acommand is received by the remote-controlled switch cover assembly 101to turn the light on, processing circuitry 906 will determine thepresent light status and know that the light is off, and that theexisting rocker switch is in the “up” position. Knowing this, processingcircuitry 906 provides a signal to the electric motor 104 to turn themotor shaft in a way that will turn wiper 112 in a direction to placethe existing rocker switch 102 into an opposite state, in this example,in the “down” state.

Switch state detection mechanism 304 comprises, in one embodiment, themechanism shown in FIGS. 10-12. In another embodiment, switch statedetection mechanism 304 may comprises a device to detect the presence ofalternating current that is conducted through existing rocker switch102. Typically, a current sensor comprises a coil, integrated circuit,and/or discrete components to wirelessly determine changes in fluxoccurring as a result of a change in current through existing rockerswitch 102. The current sensor provides a signal indicative of thecurrent to the processing circuitry 906, and processing circuitry storesa status of the current in memory 1300.

Motor driving circuitry 902 is coupled to processing circuitry 906 andprovides one or more relatively high power signals to motor 104 thatcauses motor 104 to rotate in one direction or the other. Such circuitryis well-known in the art.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for remotecontrol of an existing rocker switch performed by a remote-controlledswitch cover assembly 101 in accordance with the teachings herein. Itshould be understood that the steps described in this method could beperformed in an order other than what is shown and discussed and thatsome minor method steps may have been omitted for clarity andsimplicity.

At block 1400, transceiver 1302 (or a wireless receiver in an embodimentwhere a transmitter is not used) receives a wireless signal to actuateexisting rocker switch 102, to turn lights on or off, for example. Thewireless signal may originate from a smart phone, mobile computer, fixedcomputer, home automation gateway, security system, or some other deviceknown in the art.

At block 1402, in response to receiving the wireless signal, processingcircuitry 906 activates motor 104 that causes gear train 108 to turn ina first direction, commensurate with turning the standard rocker switchto a position indicated by the wireless signal, i.e., “off”, “on”,“toggle”, etc. In practice, processing circuitry 906 provides a signalto motor driving circuitry 902 which in turn provides a power signal tomotor 104. This, in turn, causes wiper 112 to rotate until it contactstilt plate 110, causing an opposite end of tilt plate 110 to push downon a portion of existing rocker switch 102, causing existing rockerswitch 102 to change state.

At block 1404, processing circuitry 906 detects when wiper 112 hasactuated the standard rocker switch, i.e., when the standard rockerswitch has been placed in either the “on” or “off” position. Thisdetection is performed in accordance with the teachings previouslydiscussed above.

At block 1406, in response to detecting when the wiper has actuated theexisting rocker switch 102, processing circuitry 906 causes motor 104 torotate in a reverse direction (again, by providing a signal to motordriving circuitry 902) from the first direction, which causes wiper 112to move back towards valley 122 of existing rocker switch 102.

At block 1408, processing circuitry 906 detects when wiper 112 ispositioned over valley 122 of existing rocker switch 102. This detectionis performed in accordance with the teachings previously discussedabove.

At block 1410, in response to detecting when wiper 112 is positionedover valley 122, processing circuitry 906 causes motor 104 to stoprotating (by sending a signal to motor driving circuitry 902), causingwiper 112 to remain positioned over valley 112.

At block 1412, processing circuitry 906 may cause a signal to betransmitted via transceiver 1302 to a remote location, such as asecurity panel, home automation gateway, smart phone, mobile computingdevice, etc., indicating the position of the standard rocker switch.

The methods or steps described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware or embodied inmachine-readable instructions executed by a processor, or a combinationof both. The machine-readable instructions may reside in RAM memory,flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, harddisk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage mediumknown in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to theprocessor such that the processor can read information from, and writeinformation to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storagemedium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storagemedium may reside in an ASIC. In the alternative, the processor and thestorage medium may reside as discrete components.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention may comprise anon-transitory processor-readable media embodying code ormachine-readable instructions to implement the teachings, methods,processes, algorithms, steps and/or functions disclosed herein.

While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of theinvention, it should be noted that various changes and modificationscould be made herein without departing from the scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and/or actionsof the method claims in accordance with the embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein need not be performed in any particular order.Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described orclaimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation tothe singular is explicitly stated.

I claim:
 1. A remote-controlled switch cover assembly for converting anexisting rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch, comprising: atilt plate pivotally mounted over the standard rocker switch, comprisinga first elongated structure coupled to a second elongated structurejoined at an angle to one another, the first elongated structure havinga first underside proximate to a first existing rocker switch portion,and the second elongated structure having a second underside proximateto a second existing rocker switch portion; a wiper coupled to a geartrain; the gear train coupled to a motor; and the motor for driving thegear train in a first direction to move the wiper in a first wiperdirection against the first underside of the tilt plate; wherein thestandard rocker switch is turned on when the wiper contacts the firstunderside, causing an end of the second elongated structure to depressthe second rocker switch portion of the standard rocker switch.
 2. Theremote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising:motor driving circuitry for driving the motor; a wireless receiver forreceiving wireless signals that cause activation of the motor; andprocessing circuitry coupled to the wireless receiver and the motordriving circuitry that causes the processing circuitry to actuate theelectric motor in a first direction in accordance with the wirelesssignals received by the receiver.
 3. The remote-controlled switch coverassembly of claim 1, wherein the gear train comprises a driver gear, andthe wiper comprises a tip, wherein the wiper is coupled to the drivergear with the tip extending away from the driver gear, and rotation ofthe driver gear causes the tip of the wiper to rotate about a pivotpoint of the driver gear in either the first wiper direction or thesecond wiper direction.
 4. The remote-controlled switch cover assemblyof claim 1, wherein the driver gear comprises an outer, toothedcircumference and a collar, wherein the wiper is coupled to the collar.5. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 1, wherein theremote-controlled switch cover assembly further comprises: a housing forcontaining the tilt plate, the wiper, the motor, and the gear train; twoholes formed through the housing that align with threaded cover mountingholes of the standard rocker switch, receptively; and two fasteningdevices sized and shaped for placement through the two holes,respectively, and for engaging the threaded mounting holes,respectively, to secure the remote-controlled switch cover assembly tothe standard rocker switch.
 6. The remote-controlled switch coverassembly of claim 1, further comprising: a manual rocker mounted overthe tilt plate for allowing manual control of the standard rockerswitch, comprising a first downward extension located at a first end ofthe manual rocker and a second downward extension located at a secondend of the manual rocker, for engaging the first rocker switch portionand the second rocker switch portion, respectively, as the manual rockeris operated manually by a user.
 7. The remote-controlled switch coverassembly of claim 6, further comprising: a tab extending from a firstend of the manual rocker, the tab comprising a threaded hole; and athreaded adjustment post screwed into the threaded hole and extendingtowards the tilt plate; wherein a relative position of the manual rockerto the tilt plate is adjusted by rotation of the adjustment post in thethreaded hole.
 8. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim1, further comprising: a first switch for determining when the wiper ispositioned substantially over a valley of the standard rocker switch;wherein the motor stops driving the gear train when the wiper ispositioned substantially over the valley of the standard rocker switch.9. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 8, wherein thewiper comprises a driver gear having a partial toothed perimeter forengaging the gear train, and having a deformity that activates theswitch when the wiper is moved over the valley of the standard rockerswitch, causing the contact switch to change state.
 10. Theremote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 8, wherein the geartrain comprises a driver gear having a collar, the collar having adeformity on a surface of the collar that activates the contact switchwhen the wiper is moved over the valley of the standard rocker switch,causing the switch to change state.
 11. The remote-controlled switchcover assembly of claim 1, wherein the gear train comprises a drivergear and the remote-controlled switch cover assembly further comprises:a contact switch for determining when the wiper is positionedsubstantially over the valley of the standard rocker switch, when thestandard rocker switch has been placed into the first position and whenthe standard rocker switch has been placed into a second position; andthree deformations located on a circumference of the driver gear, afirst deformation for engaging the contact switch when the wiper ispositioned substantially over the valley of the standard rocker switch,the second deformation for engaging the contact switch when the standardrocker switch has been placed into the first position and the thirddeformation for engaging the contact switch when the standard rockerswitch has been placed into the second position.
 12. Theremote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising:a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of a state of thestandard rocker switch.
 13. The remote-controlled switch cover assemblyof claim 1, further comprising: a transceiver for receiving a wirelesssignal to toggle the standard rocker switch; processing circuitrycoupled to the transceiver for operating the motor as a result ofreceiving the wireless signal from the transceiver, for determiningwhether the standard rocker switch was successfully toggled in responseto operating the motor, and for causing the transceiver to transmit asignal indicative of whether the standard rocker switch was successfullytoggled.
 14. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 13,further comprising: means for determining whether or not current isflowing through the standard rocker switch; wherein the processingcircuitry determines whether the standard rocker switch was successfullytoggled by determining whether the current is flowing through thestandard rocker switch as determined by the means.
 15. Theremote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 2, wherein theprocessing circuitry further determines when the standard rocker switchhas been turned on and, in response, causing the motor to drive the geartrain in a second, reverse direction from the first direction, causingthe wiper to return to a position over a valley of the standard rockerswitch.
 16. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 15,further comprising: a switch coupled to the processing circuitry; and aswitch state detection mechanism for actuating the switch when aphysical state of the existing rocker switch has changed; wherein theprocessing circuitry determines when the standard rocker switch has beenturned on when the processing circuitry detects a change of state of theswitch.
 17. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly of claim 15,wherein the processing circuitry further: determines when the wiper hasmoved to a position over the valley; and stops the motor from rotatingwhen the processing circuitry has determined that the wiper ispositioned over the valley.
 18. A method performed by aremote-controlled switch cover assembly for remote control of anexisting rocker switch, comprising: receiving a wireless signal toactuate the standard rocker switch; in response to receiving thewireless signal, activating a motor that causes a gear train to turn ina first direction, which in turn causes a wiper to engage an undersideof a tilt plate located over the standard rocker switch; and in responseto the wiper engaging the underside tilt plate, depressing, by anopposing end of the tit plate, the existing rocker switch.
 19. Aremote-controlled switch cover assembly for remote control of anexisting rocker switch, comprising: a manual rocker for allowing manualoperation of the existing rocker switch; a tilt plate located betweenthe manual rocker and the existing rocker switch; and a wiper forengaging a first underside portion of the tilt plate that causesrotation of the tilt plate, causing an opposing end of the tilt plate todepress the existing rocker switch.